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Prez warns rogue elements in police, armed forces

Published

3 months ago

2025/10/31

Launch of national anti-narcotics drive

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday warned police and military officers involved in narcotics deals to leave the service immediately. No such rogue elements would be spared, he said.

Speaking at a ceremony held at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo to mark the launch of a countrywide anti-drug operation, under the theme ‘Nation United – National Drive’ yesterday morning, President Dissanayake said that despite the dedication of many in the police and military, a “black state” — a network of corruption and crime — was emerging because of the actions of a few:

“Some immigration officers have issued passports to underworld leaders. Because of such actions, the state has become vulnerable to decay. Though not as strong as the official state, the underworld has built a parallel system of power. This black structure must be destroyed. There cannot be two states in one country — only one state can exist, one established by the democratic will of the people.”

President Dissanayake warned that the criminal network was attempting to infiltrate politics:

“These forces are now entering political parties — becoming candidates, chairmen, and even contesting elections. What began as an effort to protect political power has turned into an effort to dominate it. This has spread into the very roots of governance, aided for years by political blessings.”

President Dissanayake stated that some senior state officials have also been involved in these criminal operations, but vowed that decisive action would be taken:

“There is a strong public expectation that we will end this. Some police officers may have been complicit, but the current IGP and senior officers are working tirelessly to eradicate this menace. This is a time when the highest number of officers in police history have been suspended for misconduct.”

The President called on all state officials involved in such networks to immediately step away, warning that no one would be shielded.

The drug menace must be defeated to ensure social stability in the country and that the steps taken by himself and the government in this regard will undoubtedly lead to victory, he said.

President Dissanayake said that narcotics have turned into a deep deceptive trade that has gripped the nation and that he is taking action to defeat it. The President further noted that children, the general public and the entire country are becoming victims of this deceptive trade.

Meanwhile, the President pointed out that the younger generation has become the biggest victim of the drug crisis and that the destructive storm is now spreading from village to village across the country.

“When a child is born, parents are filled with hope. But today, many parents are forced to watch their own children being destroyed before their very eyes. Mothers suffer deeply and become isolated from society,” said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressing the nation during the launch of the program — a new government initiative to eradicate the drug crisis.

The President revealed alarming details about the scale of the drug trade: “Each year, we intercept around 800–900 kilograms of narcotics. But we must realize that this is only a fraction of what actually enters the country. If we were seizing everything, more wouldn’t be coming in. What we seize is small compared to what circulates freely. This trade moves vast sums of money, creating a massive black economy. It has now become a major criminal enterprise, with internal conflicts among groups fighting over control of the market. The recent shootings we’ve seen across the country are all tied to this drug network.”

The President went on to explain how organized crime has infiltrated state institutions, including the military and police:

“Some of the firearms used by these groups come from our own state weapon stockpiles. Reports show that 73 T-56 rifles went missing from army camps — 35 have been recovered, but 38 are still in criminal hands. Even a senior army colonel has been found supplying ammunition in exchange for money. Some police officers have sold their own weapons and fled. These are state-owned firearms. The question is: how did they end up with armed gangs? This shows that organized groups, empowered by financial might, have managed to penetrate the state machinery. We cannot continue to ignore or hide this situation any longer.”

The President also outlined plans to rehabilitate those addicted to drugs, especially among youth and students:

“To rescue the youth who have fallen into drug use, we need to build a culture based on sports, music, and creativity. Rehabilitation is our responsibility as a society. Voluntary rehabilitation centers have already been established and I urge parents to bring their children there.”

He also announced the creation of a National Operations Center uniting Customs, Immigration, the Motor Traffic Department, the Armed Forces, Intelligence Services, and the Police — ensuring that no one involved in drug trafficking can flee the country.

“This is not their country anymore,” he said firmly, adding that religious leaders and the media would play a vital role in guiding and informing society:

“The media bears the responsibility of communicating this message to the public with integrity. Media organizations have already expressed support for this mission.”

Finally, the President noted that many criminal investigations in Sri Lanka have been hindered by political protection:

“Behind almost every unsolved crime lies political interference — not police inefficiency. But that political power is now over. The police are working bravely despite risks. Some criminals are even operating from inside prisons. Yet our officers continue this mission despite threats.”

Concluding his address, the President called for national unity in the fight against drugs:

“It’s time for all of us to come together — as one nation. This battle cannot be won by individuals, the government alone, or even the police. Everyone must unite. Those dealing in drugs must immediately step away. Together, we will build the strongest movement against this deceptive storm. We will destroy it and free our children, our society, and our nation from its grip.”

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Three arrested with narcotics valued at Rs123 million at BIA

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/25

Priyan

Three Sri Lankan male passengers who arrived from Muscat by flight no. OV 437 on Saturday (24) have been arrested by officers attached to the NCU at BIA as they were found to be carrying 12,306 grams of Cannabis class narcotics (suspected as Hashish & Kush) valued at 123 million rupees.

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Navy intercepts 02 narcotics-laden trawlers with 11 suspects in southern seas

Published

5 hours ago

2026/01/25

Priyan

Building on its success in seizing major narcotic stocks in 2025, the Navy continued to support the “A Nation United” National Mission in 2026. In continuation of these efforts, during an
operation conducted on the high seas south of Sri Lanka, the Navy apprehended eleven (11) suspects aboard two local multi-day fishing trawlers suspected of drug smuggling.

Based on shared information, by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police, this special operation was conducted off the southern coast, deploying the Navy‟s Offshore Patrol Vessels. The operation
resulted in the interception of a multi-day fishing trawler suspected of smuggling narcotics, and the apprehension of five (05) suspects on board.

During further operations in the same area, naval units seized another multi-day fishing trawler (01), along with communication equipment and six (06) additional suspects, also believed to be involved in drug smuggling.

This morning (25 Jan 26), the two intercepted fishing trawlers, along with fourteen (14) sacks laden with suspected narcotics and the suspects, were brought to the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour.

An expert examination by the Police Narcotic Bureau confirmed that the fourteen (14) sacks contained more than 184 kilograms of heroin and over 112 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine).

The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and the Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasuriya, inspected the narcotics at the Dikovita harbour.

The Deputy Minister of Defence said that the current administration has initiated several projects for national development. As a flagship initiative, under the directives and guidance of the President, and under the supervision of the
Ministry of Defence, well-coordinated anti-narcotic raids have been launched.

This effort, part of “A Nation United” National Mission, involves the tri-forces, police, and all intelligence agencies working together under a coordinated plan to ensure that drug smugglers have no opportunity to bring narcotics into the country, he opined. He further stated that despite the national disaster situation, the state machinery, including the tri-forces, the police, and the public at large, remains united in rebuilding the nation, no room will be left for drug trafficking, which poses a severe threat to national security and public safety. Those
who engage in or support drug trafficking, under the cover of fishing activities, will find no escape, he added.

The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed that the tri-forces, police, and all law enforcement agencies are fully committed to their duty of suppressing this menace.

The Deputy Minister of Defence reported that, throughout 2025, a series of highly successful operations were conducted leading to numerous arrests. This was achieved through close coordination and mutual cooperation among the tri-services, the police, the Special Task Force, Police Narcotics Bureau, local law enforcement and international agencies. He noted that this
same spirit of cooperation and commitment has continued into 2026, resulting in the seizure of a large stockpile of drugs.

On behalf of the Honourable President, he extended gratitude to all who contributed to these efforts, specifically acknowledging the Commander of the Navy, the Inspector General of Police, the Police Narcotic Bureau, and the crews of the Navy’s Offshore
Patrol Vessels.

Moreover, the Deputy Minister declared that drug smuggling has become a national crisis, fueled by youth involvement and social crime. With borders secured under the “Nation United” National Mission, he warned traffickers to cease operations and urged users to abandon the destructive habit.

The Deputy Minister urged the public to report suspected drug smugglers to law enforcement via the hotlines 1818 or 1997 and also commended the role of media institutions and journalists in raising public awareness about the dangers of narcotics through responsible reporting.

Meanwhile, the two (02) multi-day fishing trawlers, along with a haul of narcotics, eleven (11) suspects, and communication equipment, were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for
further investigation and legal proceedings.

News

Engineers draw red line as CEBEU warns of union action over appointed date

Published

14 hours ago

2026/01/25

Thilina Walpola

Engineers at the Ceylon Electricity Board have drawn a clear red line over the government’s plan to gazette the appointed date for restructuring the utility, warning that trade union action will follow if the move is pushed through without addressing their core demands, the Sunday Island learns.

The powerful Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) says preparations are already under way for industrial action, most likely after the appointed date gazette is published, should the Minister proceed without resolving outstanding issues raised repeatedly by engineers.

“If the appointed date is gazetted without addressing our demands, we will have no option but to take trade union action,” a senior electrical engineer told The Island, stressing that the warning should be taken seriously.

CEBEU sources say the engineers’ demands are aimed at preventing a structural and financial crisis in the electricity sector, rather than blocking reform. They insist that unbundling the CEB without first putting in place firm safeguards would expose the sector to instability and consumers to higher costs.

The engineers’ key demands include: legally binding financial safeguards to ensure the proposed Electricity Generation Company is viable from inception; protection against the transfer of legacy liabilities, extraordinary costs, or inefficiencies to new entities or electricity consumers; enforceable accountability for management and policy decisions that inflate system costs; genuine, structured consultation with technical professionals before irreversible decisions are taken; and a halt to gazetting the appointed date until these safeguards are formally incorporated.

Engineers warn that rushing the appointed date would lock existing weaknesses into the new structure, making them harder—and more expensive—to fix later. “Once the appointed date is gazetted, there is no rewind button,” a senior engineer said. “If the foundation is flawed, the entire structure will suffer.”

Meanwhile, according to energy analyst, Dr. Vidhura Ralapanwe, electricity sector reforms must be grounded in technical and financial reality, not driven by administrative timelines.

He has cautioned that implementing structural changes without correcting underlying governance and cost issues risks destabilising the sector and undermining public confidence.

CEBEU officials reject claims that the union is resisting reform. They say engineers are being sidelined in decision-making while being held responsible for system performance. “We are accountable for keeping the system running, but our professional warnings are being ignored,” one engineer said. “That is not reform; it is reckless governance.”

With the Minister yet to gazette the appointed date, tensions within the power sector are rising sharply.

Engineers say the government now faces a stark choice: engage with professionals and fix the problems first—or brace for confrontation in a sector where disruption will have coutrywide consequences.

By Ifham Nizam ✍️